Boje and Gibbs available

Nicky Boje and Herschelle Gibbs have made themselves available to play in the Champion’s Trophy in India.

They have not played in India since 2000, after they were implicated in a match-fixing scandal involving Hansie Cronje. They have avoided touring India since then because they were not assured that the police would not detain and interview them about the scandal.

However, the pair are now willing to travel to India and board cheif executive Gerald Majola has said: “Herschelle and Nicky have confirmed that they will go to India if selected and that they will co-operate fully with any interviews which the Indian Police may wish to hold with them.”

Gibbs admitted accepting money from a bookmaker to score under 20 runs in an ODI during South Africa’s 200 tour. He claims he “forgot” this, as he scored 74 in the match, but was banned from cricket for six months and fined. Boje has always denied any involvement in the scandal.

Gibbs said of his decision: “I recognise the police have their processes to follow and I am sorry if I appeared critical of these (in the past). I’m now really looking forward to representing my country in India at the ICC Champions Trophy.”